Diabetes Myth Busting with Lauren Newman | #22

Click here to access a written transcript of this episode.

Think sugar causes diabetes? Think again. Diabetes is such a misunderstood disease that I knew it deserved its own episode on the podcast.

Even though people seem wholly confused about how Health At Every Size and intuitive eating can apply to those diagnosed with diabetes (whether Type 1 or Type 2), the truth is, they're completely compatible. Thankfully, my friend, Lauren Newman, an RD who specializes in diabetes, was up to the task of doing some myth busting around diabetes on the show.

We discussed:

• How Lauren came to specialize in diabetes even though that was not her original plan.
• Biologically speaking how Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes work in the body.
• The myth that sugar causes diabetes and the misunderstanding of what's actually going on that has led to that myth.
• How there's no agreed-upon definition of “reversing diabetes,” but you can't actually change the functioning of your body.
• The guilt and shame that often surrounds a diabetes diagnosis due to cultural stigma.
• What a “pre-diabetes” diagnosis really means for you.
• Why going on a restrictive diet and trying to lose weight is a terrible idea if you're diagnosed with pre-diabetes or Type 2 diabetes.
• How correlation doesn't equal causation when it comes to weight and diabetes.
• The compatibility of intuitive eating and diabetes, including what considerations might need to be taken into account.
• Stigma against taking medications for diabetes.
• How Lauren defines health and wellness for herself, in particular making a point to look at the big picture.

Mentioned in This Episode

• Kerbey Lane Cafe
• The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)
• History and information about the pre-diabetes diagnosis

Featured in This Episode

Lauren Newman, RD, LD (she/her) is a registered dietitian in Austin, Texas, passionate about helping individuals with diabetes make peace with food and their bodies. Lauren practices from a Health At Every Size® and weight-inclusive approach to help clients connect with their bodies' needs and learn to respond without rigidity, restriction, or shame. You can find Lauren on her website and Instagram.